Certified payment service provider CommerceGate announced yesterday the launch of a new twist on an established method for companies to sell products to consumers. The new system, called Interactive Voice Response (IVR), provides users with the option of purchasing products over the phone by way of any touchtone telephone, landline or mobile device.

The process is very simple: in order to make a purchase, callers need only key in their credit card information, which is then transmitted to CommerceGate’s level one PCI compliant secure payment system. The system accepts nearly any type of credit card as it is backed by CommerceGate's alreadywell-established payment system. Upon completion of the transaction, the caller is then routed back to the merchant phone service.

The IVR system is easy to use for customers but is also very beneficial for the merchant as it processes payments without needing to store sensitive credit card data. In other words, IVR allows merchants to outsource completely the handling of sensitive information, eliminating the risks to merchants that come with storing such information — security breaches, for example.

In addition, the IVR system lowers processing costs by reducing the necessity for staff to handle phone payments. IVR can also be customized to the merchant's liking with the option to include pre-recorded messages and background music.

“It may sound complicated, but it is really very simple. We handle the risk and security, the merchant focuses on delivering the service and receiving the money. Everybody wins,” says Bjorn Skarlen, CEO of CommerceGate, in regards to the new IVR system. “We are very excited to offer this service to our merchants in the United States and in Europe. No other payment service provider that I know of can offer their clients this. The setup process is straight-forward and the potential rewards are huge.”

CommerceGate's IVR system is compatible with standard landline phone systems as well as Voice over IP.